How easy would it be to get into IT Sales with 12 Yrs in IT?
Discussion
It is an interesting question, so why not discuss it here? From my limited viewpoint I've seen a great many non sales make a move internally into sales, some with considerable success, but I cannot recall a single instance in the last 10 years where I saw a non sales external candidate hired as an out and out sales person, unless in a very junior capacity. But there are usually a few more technical jobs closely linked to sales that are suitable springboards for an internal move later. That may be the quicker route if I've understood the OP correctly?
Thanks for the replies, just the info i'm after.
Its very interesting, it seems to be an unusual move from IT Techy into sales ?. IMO I too think that someone with 12 years knowledge (all with blue chip companies (Lloyds Bank, Norwich Union) is something very usefull to tap into when selling these guys mega $$$'s of training, hardware etc. Just wondering if there are roles in a sort of technical consultant type placing to advise sales teams ? I for one am tired when being sold IT training or involved in recruitment when person on the end of the phone does not know an awlful lot of the more techy details.
Maybe there is room for a new breed of IT salesperson ???
I'm away for the week but will be able to get a CV out to those who are intersted and thanks for showing the interest.
Cheers once again and any more info from people in the know would be appreciated.
Its very interesting, it seems to be an unusual move from IT Techy into sales ?. IMO I too think that someone with 12 years knowledge (all with blue chip companies (Lloyds Bank, Norwich Union) is something very usefull to tap into when selling these guys mega $$$'s of training, hardware etc. Just wondering if there are roles in a sort of technical consultant type placing to advise sales teams ? I for one am tired when being sold IT training or involved in recruitment when person on the end of the phone does not know an awlful lot of the more techy details.
Maybe there is room for a new breed of IT salesperson ???
I'm away for the week but will be able to get a CV out to those who are intersted and thanks for showing the interest.
Cheers once again and any more info from people in the know would be appreciated.
Edited by SUSSEX on Thursday 9th November 10:39
Edited by SUSSEX on Thursday 9th November 11:14
SUSSEX said:
Just wondering if there are roles in a sort of technical consultant type placing to advise sales teams ?
Edited by SUSSEX on Thursday 9th November 10:39
Edited by SUSSEX on Thursday 9th November 11:14
Sounds similar to a pre-sales type of role
Go on to the jobsites and look for IT pre-sales jobs and see if they fit what you may be looking for.
edc said:
SUSSEX said:
Just wondering if there are roles in a sort of technical consultant type placing to advise sales teams ?
Edited by SUSSEX on Thursday 9th November 10:39
Edited by SUSSEX on Thursday 9th November 11:14
Sounds similar to a pre-sales type of role
Go on to the jobsites and look for IT pre-sales jobs and see if they fit what you may be looking for.Will do, cheers for the advice.
One of the tech guys here side-stepped into sales when we ran out of people to do demo's and so forced him into it. Turns out that the prospects find it refreshing to speak to someone who doesn't just 'sell them the dream' but more relates to their problems and genuinely knows how our software can fix them. He now closes as many sales on ratio as our primary sales-trained demonstrator.
dick dastardly said:
One of the tech guys here side-stepped into sales when we ran out of people to do demo's and so forced him into it. Turns out that the prospects find it refreshing to speak to someone who doesn't just 'sell them the dream' but more relates to their problems and genuinely knows how our software can fix them. He now closes as many sales on ratio as our primary sales-trained demonstrator.
Very interesting, a question of the right place at the right time for him. I'm just wondering how the heck one would go about it with 0% knowledge in the selling but 100% in the product they will be selling. Bit of a gamble for the employer I suppose that could pay them divendends ? I suppose having someone with inside knowledge on the IT environment in a team of sellers is benificial. I suppose it depends on how team orientated the selling arena is as one persons skills could help a collegues lack of actual skill. Sales and techy uniting to create a powerful selling force ?
SUSSEX said:
dick dastardly said:
One of the tech guys here side-stepped into sales when we ran out of people to do demo's and so forced him into it. Turns out that the prospects find it refreshing to speak to someone who doesn't just 'sell them the dream' but more relates to their problems and genuinely knows how our software can fix them. He now closes as many sales on ratio as our primary sales-trained demonstrator.
Very interesting, a question of the right place at the right time for him. I'm just wondering how the heck one would go about it with 0% knowledge in the selling but 100% in the product they will be selling. Bit of a gamble for the employer I suppose that could pay them divendends ? I suppose having someone with inside knowledge on the IT environment in a team of sellers is benificial. I suppose it depends on how team orientated the selling arena is as one persons skills could help a collegues lack of actual skill. Sales and techy uniting to create a powerful selling force ?
Thats pretty much how I understand it, sales guys talk to the management about £, tech guys talk to IT about implementation & benefits.
My Dad has 0% experience of sales, but 95% in the product
SUSSEX said:
Very interesting, a question of the right place at the right time for him. I'm just wondering how the heck one would go about it with 0% knowledge in the selling but 100% in the product they will be selling. Bit of a gamble for the employer I suppose that could pay them divendends ? I suppose having someone with inside knowledge on the IT environment in a team of sellers is benificial. I suppose it depends on how team orientated the selling arena is as one persons skills could help a collegues lack of actual skill. Sales and techy uniting to create a powerful selling force ?
You are describing the way most large IT businesses work. Sales people run the campaigns and pre-sales do the demos, presentations, technical proposals, architecture designs etc. Like I said before, there a ton of techie jobs very closely aligned to sales which should pay decent bonuses and would be a good launch pad for you. Search for terms like pre-sales, systems engineer, solutions consultant and so on when you browse the job sites. Good luck!
Sounds like you would be looking for a pre-sales role either for an IT reseller or vendor.
What areas of IT are you specialty? (If it's security it may be worth dropping me a mail) You mention working with sales people, would any of their companies be interested if so approach them directly. I always consider an applicant that has approached me direct rather than through a recruitement agency.
Whilst you may not have the pre-sales experience it is very hard to find really good pre-sales people so people that have the right mentality or drive may very well be considered.
Be prepared to travel
What areas of IT are you specialty? (If it's security it may be worth dropping me a mail) You mention working with sales people, would any of their companies be interested if so approach them directly. I always consider an applicant that has approached me direct rather than through a recruitement agency.
Whilst you may not have the pre-sales experience it is very hard to find really good pre-sales people so people that have the right mentality or drive may very well be considered.
Be prepared to travel
Didn't see this thread - as I don't normally frequent this forum!
I work as a pre-sales consultant in IT (mainly software, but I've done hardware - all in storage).
This is definitely the avenue you want to follow first
The benefits are good pay and commission, without the stress of having to cold call and close the deal. Essentially we work with account managers, so are involved from the start of the sales cycle, through the middle, but normally not part of closing the deal.
Responsibilities include (smaller organisations will require items in brackets):
Scoping the prospect - is it something worth following up from a technical point of view, can the product(s) you're selling be used?
Giving a presentation on the product, to anyone from IT department to board level (I've presented to City bank board members)
Demonstrating the product, installing demos and troubleshooting demo installations
Writing tenders, replying to tenders, requests for information and requests for proposals
Proposing solutions and justifying them
(scoping professional services)
(providing proessional services)
(post sales)
Wages vary from £30k + commission up through £60k + double comission for some experience to £100k + tonnes of money. Car allowances normally on top.
As mentioned, lots of travelling - you are in sales afterall!
Any questions, drop me a line
I work as a pre-sales consultant in IT (mainly software, but I've done hardware - all in storage).
This is definitely the avenue you want to follow first
The benefits are good pay and commission, without the stress of having to cold call and close the deal. Essentially we work with account managers, so are involved from the start of the sales cycle, through the middle, but normally not part of closing the deal.
Responsibilities include (smaller organisations will require items in brackets):
Scoping the prospect - is it something worth following up from a technical point of view, can the product(s) you're selling be used?
Giving a presentation on the product, to anyone from IT department to board level (I've presented to City bank board members)
Demonstrating the product, installing demos and troubleshooting demo installations
Writing tenders, replying to tenders, requests for information and requests for proposals
Proposing solutions and justifying them
(scoping professional services)
(providing proessional services)
(post sales)
Wages vary from £30k + commission up through £60k + double comission for some experience to £100k + tonnes of money. Car allowances normally on top.
As mentioned, lots of travelling - you are in sales afterall!
Any questions, drop me a line
Sussex, if you've got that much IT experience, and you think you'll be good at sales, either start your own firm or go freelancing/consulting. Running your own shop is 90% sales and about 10% IT, particularly as it's generally easier/cheaper to hire half decent IT people than it is to get good sales people. If you want any advice drop me a PM.
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff